Studies in health technology and informatics
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2009
Enhancement of interoperability of disaster-related data collection using Disaster Nursing Minimum Data Set.
Data collected by nurses have the potential to aid in the disaster response if the necessary information can be extracted. The Disaster Nursing Minimum Data Set is proposed to strengthen the interoperability of information and data sharing between agencies to improve relief services to individuals and communities affected by a disaster. This study will examine disaster-related data elements need to be collected by all relief agencies to facilitate interoperability and secondary use of data for research and disaster management.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2009
Interoperable electronic patient records for health care improvement.
Pressing needs of cost-effectiveness in healthcare and opportunities of emerging electronic health record technologies offer unprecedented chance for progress. Ongoing health care improvement and patient safety initiatives demand new information collection and communication technologies (e.g., Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, Joint Commission, National Patient Safety Foundation, public health surveillance). Particularly, desire for faster action and cost-effective health care drive unprecedented investments in electronic patient records worldwide. ⋯ Regional health information networks and other information sharing initiatives depend on the interoperability of systems. Ultimately, the recent flood of health information standards needs to be balanced with actual interoperability opportunities. It is anticipated that the current policy discussions on the "meaningful use" of electronic health records will have major beneficial technical and also reimbursement implications.